Dear Jason,

To my knowledge, there hasn't been anything comparable to what is happening today in Church history. Different times throughout history have necessitated indults, which release people from the normative laws concerning Mass attendance. Such indults are automatic when it is impossible to attend Mass.

Consider Japan, where it was illegal to even be Christian for a couple of centuries. Also in Europe when the Protestant revolt had whole countries persecuting Catholics and in some places burning them alive for attending Mass. Post Henry VIII, in England, is another example. But on the whole, I don't know anytime where it was cancelled in many countries across the world.

This is unprecedented.

Peace,

Bob Kirby